Hadrat Bilal’s Love for Rasulullah صلي الله عليه واله وسلم

When Hadrat Bilal first reverted to Islam, the Quraysh beat him severely for believing the words, “La illaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah.” (There is no god but God, Muhammad is His messenger) For days, they whipped Hadrat Bilal and kept him in the dry heat of the desert. They wanted to make an example of him by trying to torture him into disbelieving in the Oneness of Allah; however, he never gave in. Hadrat Bilal would instead courageously yell, “Ahadun Ahad!” (He is the One, the One!). The Quraysh even tried making him insult Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم), but he still never gave in. After days of torture, Hadrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq rescued him by paying the Quraysh a large sum of money. He would have rather died in the heat then insult Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم) or abandon the idea of Tawheed of Allah.
Hadrat Bilal was very close to Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم) and loved him dearly. After the Hijra, migration to Medinah Munawarah, Bilal (رضي الله عنه) became the Mu’adhin, the person who gave the call to prayer (Adhaan). Whenever his voice sounded through the streets of Medinah Munawarah, people would excitedly rush to the masjid to pray behind Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم).
But once Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم) left this world, he deeply saddened. Once Hadrat Abu Bakr’s Caliphate began, he could no longer bring himself to give the Adhaan. Whenever Hadrat Bilal would reach the words, “Ashaddu Anna Muhammadun Rasulullah,” he would choke up and start crying.
Hadrat Bilal (رضي الله عنه) decided to leave Medinah Munawarah to serve Allah in another part of the region. Staying in Medina Munawara only reminded Hadrat Bilal that Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم) was no longer physically with him. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq tried convincing him to stay; however, he was too heartbroken.
After many years, Hadrat Bilal saw a dream of Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم). He asked Hadrat Bilal, “Why this distance Ya Bilal? Has the time not come for you to visit us?” After seeing Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم) in his dream, Hadrat Bilal finally travelled back to Medinah Munawarah.
He stayed by the grave of Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم) and wept. When people saw Hadrat Bilal, they ran towards him and greeted him, including Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain.
Everyone wanted Hadrat Bilal to give the adhaan, so he went to the masjid and gave the call. Medinah Munwawarah shook as his voice filtered into everyone’s heart. When he said, “Ashaddu Anna Muhammadun Rasulullah” everyone ran out of their homes thinking that Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم) was back. Many Sahaba were crying out of love and longing for Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه واله و سلم).
Sometime later, when Hadrat Bilal was about to leave this world, he noticed his wife was distressed about his health. He comforted her and said, “Do not cry, because tomorrow I will be meeting my beloved ones; Muhammad and his companions.”